Slow-wave sleep

About: Slow-wave sleep is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 6543 publications have been published within this topic receiving 320663 citations. The topic is also known as: deep sleep.

REM Sleep Induction by Physostigmine Infusion During Sleep

Abstract: Physostigmine (an anticholinesterase agent that increases acetylcholine at the synapse), in a dose of 0.5 milligram, was given intravenously to seven normal human volunteers. When injected during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, physostigmine woke the subjects, and when injected during non-REM sleep, it induced REM sleep. This result suggests that cholinergic mechanisms play a role in the induction of REM sleep and in modulating cortical arousal mechanisms.

Sleep on the Night Shift: 24-Hour EEG Monitoring of Spontaneous Sleep/Wake Behavior

Abstract: The present study sought to objectively describe the spontaneous sleep/wakefulness pattern of shift workers during a 24-hour period. Portable Medilog tape-recorders were used for ambulatory EEG monitoring of 25 male papermill workers (25-55 years) during days with night and afternoon work. The results showed that sleep after night work was two hours shorter than after afternoon work. The sleep reduction affected mainly Stage 2 and REM sleep while slow wave sleep was unchanged. In connection with night work 28% of the workers took a nap in the afternoon. These naps contained a large proportion of slow wave sleep and were, apparently, caused by the sleep deficit after the short main sleep period. The EEG recordings also revealed that 20% of the participants had sleep episodes during night work. These naps were as long as the afternoon naps, were experienced as "dozing offs" rather than naps, occurred at the time of the trough of the circadian wakefulness rhythm, and were concomitant with extreme subjective sleepiness and low rated work load. It was concluded that not only the sleep of shift workers was disturbed, but also the wakefulness--to the extent that sleepiness during night work sometimes reached a level where reasonable wakefulness could not be maintained. The latter observation is probably of special importance in work situations demanding a great responsibility for human lives or for great economic values.

The effects of acute and chronic exercise on sleep. A meta-analytic review.

Abstract: Studies attempting to ascertain the effects of acute and chronic exercise on measures of sleep have yielded conflicting results and interpretations. Methodological differences among studies may explain this lack of consensus; however, small sample sizes and subsequently low statistical power may also have contributed. In an attempt to resolve these issues, this review used meta-analytical techniques to: (a) re-examine the effects of exercise on sleep; and (b) examine possible moderators of these effects. Studies meeting the selection criteria were included in the analysis. Analyses of moderating factors were performed for stage 4 sleep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. The results indicated that acute and chronic exercise increased slow wave sleep (SWS) and total sleep time but decreased sleep onset latency and REM sleep. Moderating variables influencing the magnitude and direction of these effects were related to characteristics of the individual (e.g. sex, age, fitness level) and the exercise (e.g. time of day exercise was completed, type of exercise, exercise duration). Mechanisms which have been suggested to explain the relationship between exercise and sleep are discussed and directions for further research are provided.